The Bawku municipal director of health services, Dr. Mensah Afful has hinted that most children in Bawku could be at risk of infections especially those under five because about 78% who were expected to be immunized have not been able to do so due to the conflict situation.
Dr. Mensah Afful explained that according to health policy, they were expected to immunize 90% of children under five years against polio and measles, however, as at march this year, only 20.4% and 22.3% of children were covered against polio and measles respectively as against 26.9 and 28.2 % during the same period last year.
Dr. Mensah revealed this when he addressed the youth of all the tribes in Bawku at a meeting organized by the Bawku Literary Society (BLS) with sponsorship from IBIS GHANA, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO).
Dr. Mensah noted that this has resulted into a pool of infections leading to rising number of deaths among children because most of the nurses could not move freely to some parts of the Municipality and parents equally could not move to health centers to have their children immunized.
“Even now that the area is experiencing relative calm, hospital attendance is very low and one may wonder where they take the sick to and this is becoming a great worry to the health directorate” he lamented.
Dr. Mensah said that performance indicators on immunization, deliveries and out-patients Department (OPD) were all going down as a result of the restriction on movement especially the health personnel who belong to the feuding sides.
He said only six doctors are currently working under serious stress who are made up of two Cubans and two Ghanaians as general doctors and two ophthalmologists.
Dr. Mensah Afful described the conflict as unproductive and backwards considering the numerous negative effects on the socio-economic life of the people especially the health implications the people are grappling with.
Touching on education, the Human Resource Personnel of Ghana Education Service (GES) in Bawku, Madam Fatima Seidu said that teaching and learning come to stand still any time the conflict intensifies.
She added that as a result of the conflict, a lot of teachers thronged the office of GES for transfers and releases especially the non-natives to the detriment of the pupils.
She further added that a visit to some of the basic school revealed that out of 10 teachers only two were present and population of 150 in a school only 50 pupils were present.
Madam Fatima explained that education is the bedrock of development for every society, therefore, appealed to the youth to impact positively on their neighbors for effective teaching and learning when they return to the various communities.
Speaking under the theme “Tolerance Amongst the youth – A Pre – Requisite for sustainable peace in Bawku” the president of BLS, Miss Florence Bombande said the can never be any meaningful development in Bawku if there is no peace.
She admonished the youth not to allow themselves to be used as a tool in the conflict because is their future which is at stake here and any lapses on their part could jeopardize them greatly.
Miss Florence Bombande urged the youth in Bawku to see each other as one and try within all means possible to peacefully live together.
At the end of the meeting, the youth saw the need for peace to prevail in Bawku and its environs and came out with some resolution messages for peace, some of which read; Respect for individual opinion, let’s live in peace in Bawku, political campaigns should be peaceful, Discipline during the elections, and among others.
Godwin Nkunu
ISD Bawku
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
LAUNCH OF ANTI- TB/HIV/AIDS CAMPANIGN AT PUSIGA
About a third of the world’s population; 2 billion people carry TB bacteria, but most never develop the active disease. However, every year 8-10 million people catch the disease and 2 million die from it.
In the Bawku Municipality alone last year 2007, over one hundred new TB cases were detected and put on treatment.
The Bawku Municipal Director of Health Services Dr. Mensah Afful said this during the launching of Anti TB /HIV/AIDS campaign at Pusiga in the Bawku Municipality.
Dr. Mensah Afful said about 10% of people infected with TB actually develop the disease in their lifetimes, but this preparation is changing as HIV severely weakens the human immune system and makes people much more vulnerable.
“Tuberculosis, or TB is an infectious bacterial disease cause by mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lumps and its spread from an infectious person who is coughing to another person through “the air” he explained.
Dr. Afful said TB is treatable and is free with a six month course of antibiotics. He dispelled false beliefs that you can become infected by TB by touching someone who has it or being with an infected person for a few minutes rather it is transmitted only by prolonged close contact with coughing infectious patients. Also, TB patients who have taken their treatment for 2 weeks and are still taking are usually not infectious, he emphasized.
He advised anybody who coughs for 2 week should seek treatment from a health facility and don’t sit and die from a disease which is treatable and free at all government hospitals.
The Executive Director of the Rural – Urban Women and Children Development Agency (RUWACDA) Mr. Braimah Abdulai said the NGO which has been in existence barely 3 year is committed to providing social services in its focal communities by facilitating empowerment of women and the youth through reproductive health, education, providing economic empowerment through integrated approach by the provision of vocational training, promotion of sanitation and environmental sustainability.
He said the purpose of the launch is to disseminate Information Education and Communication and promote Behavioral Change Communication on the devastating diseases TB/HIV/AIDS that claim millions of lives every year and also to advocate for peace.
“This year RUWACDA in partnership with the National TB control program and Ghana Aids commission through the support of the Global fund is undertaking a behavioral change communication and information Education on TB/HIV/AIDS in the Bawku Municipality. In May 2007 RUWACDA was one of the few selected NGO’s by MOH, MOFA to provide public education intervention on avian influenza (Bird Fly)”he emphasized.
Mr. Braimah Abdulai impressed upon philanthropists, institutions, donor agencies, government and all actors to support RUWACDA.
The Bawku Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Abduai Abanga in a speech read on his behalf said the issue of TB/HIV/AIDS in the development of our society cannot be over emphasized and these two killer diseases are more than brothers who attack to kill.
“Fortunately TB is curable and its treatment is free but HIV/AIDS is not, however when HIV/AIDS patients receive anti-retroviral treatment their life’s can be prolonged. He therefore encouraged all who are suffering from these killer diseases to avail themselves at Health facilities for treatment” he said.
Hon. Abanga appealed to the people to rise up and fight the evils of poverty, hunger and disease rather than fighting amongst themselves.
“In these modern times when everybody’s attitude is changing from primitive thinking to progressive thinking, here we are still stacked in the cave of violence and conflicts of destruction” he lamented.
The chief of Pusiga Naba Ayumah Tambisballem thanked RUWACDA and believes the programme would bring life to an infected person who out of ignorance may be dying in silent.
Naba Ayuma Tambisballem prayed for lasting peace so that their programs and towns would not be guided by security men and women.
A day earlier, RUWACDA organized a workshop for its treatment support volunteers aimed at equipping the volunteers with the knowledge of TB and how to assist TB patients. And on the day of the launch, there was a procession through the principal streets of Pusiga Township, the processors carried placards some of which bored the inscription; stop aids love life, HIV/AIDS can kill, TB can be cured, and TB treatment is free.
JAMES DORGBETOR
MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER
In the Bawku Municipality alone last year 2007, over one hundred new TB cases were detected and put on treatment.
The Bawku Municipal Director of Health Services Dr. Mensah Afful said this during the launching of Anti TB /HIV/AIDS campaign at Pusiga in the Bawku Municipality.
Dr. Mensah Afful said about 10% of people infected with TB actually develop the disease in their lifetimes, but this preparation is changing as HIV severely weakens the human immune system and makes people much more vulnerable.
“Tuberculosis, or TB is an infectious bacterial disease cause by mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lumps and its spread from an infectious person who is coughing to another person through “the air” he explained.
Dr. Afful said TB is treatable and is free with a six month course of antibiotics. He dispelled false beliefs that you can become infected by TB by touching someone who has it or being with an infected person for a few minutes rather it is transmitted only by prolonged close contact with coughing infectious patients. Also, TB patients who have taken their treatment for 2 weeks and are still taking are usually not infectious, he emphasized.
He advised anybody who coughs for 2 week should seek treatment from a health facility and don’t sit and die from a disease which is treatable and free at all government hospitals.
The Executive Director of the Rural – Urban Women and Children Development Agency (RUWACDA) Mr. Braimah Abdulai said the NGO which has been in existence barely 3 year is committed to providing social services in its focal communities by facilitating empowerment of women and the youth through reproductive health, education, providing economic empowerment through integrated approach by the provision of vocational training, promotion of sanitation and environmental sustainability.
He said the purpose of the launch is to disseminate Information Education and Communication and promote Behavioral Change Communication on the devastating diseases TB/HIV/AIDS that claim millions of lives every year and also to advocate for peace.
“This year RUWACDA in partnership with the National TB control program and Ghana Aids commission through the support of the Global fund is undertaking a behavioral change communication and information Education on TB/HIV/AIDS in the Bawku Municipality. In May 2007 RUWACDA was one of the few selected NGO’s by MOH, MOFA to provide public education intervention on avian influenza (Bird Fly)”he emphasized.
Mr. Braimah Abdulai impressed upon philanthropists, institutions, donor agencies, government and all actors to support RUWACDA.
The Bawku Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Abduai Abanga in a speech read on his behalf said the issue of TB/HIV/AIDS in the development of our society cannot be over emphasized and these two killer diseases are more than brothers who attack to kill.
“Fortunately TB is curable and its treatment is free but HIV/AIDS is not, however when HIV/AIDS patients receive anti-retroviral treatment their life’s can be prolonged. He therefore encouraged all who are suffering from these killer diseases to avail themselves at Health facilities for treatment” he said.
Hon. Abanga appealed to the people to rise up and fight the evils of poverty, hunger and disease rather than fighting amongst themselves.
“In these modern times when everybody’s attitude is changing from primitive thinking to progressive thinking, here we are still stacked in the cave of violence and conflicts of destruction” he lamented.
The chief of Pusiga Naba Ayumah Tambisballem thanked RUWACDA and believes the programme would bring life to an infected person who out of ignorance may be dying in silent.
Naba Ayuma Tambisballem prayed for lasting peace so that their programs and towns would not be guided by security men and women.
A day earlier, RUWACDA organized a workshop for its treatment support volunteers aimed at equipping the volunteers with the knowledge of TB and how to assist TB patients. And on the day of the launch, there was a procession through the principal streets of Pusiga Township, the processors carried placards some of which bored the inscription; stop aids love life, HIV/AIDS can kill, TB can be cured, and TB treatment is free.
JAMES DORGBETOR
MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER
Monday, June 9, 2008
PEACE, BAWKU, PEACE!
The communal clashes in Bawku which started some fifty years ago has claimed several lives and destroyed properties worth millions of Ghana cedi.
The conflict which takes its remote cause in chieftaincy and land dispute is gradually bringing Bawku and for that matter the entire Bawku municipality to its knees and also scaring away workers and potential investors.
The frequent breaks in social life, economic activities, quality health care assessment etc leaves much to be desired. What is more, the many projects and businesses that have been put on hold are having severe hardship and underdevelopment on the area. The man hours and resources lost to the conflict are overwhelming.
The revenue of the Bawku municipal Assembly have dwindled drastically and the little left plus what comes from the central Government are being used to keep peace in Bawku but could have been channeled to build schools, hospitals, roads, dams and markets.
Both JHS and SHS candidates of 2008 suffered a great deal of tuition since most teachers vacated the area. For instance, the JHS candidates at the wake of this recent conflict did not receive a steady tuition as any time the conflict erupted they had to run home for their dear lives which meant that particular week a lot of lesson period had been lost. Also some SHS candidates missed some of their final WASSCE papers which one wonders what the performance of these candidates of 2008 results will be.
Women especially the pregnant ones went through horrible experiences just to access health care resulting in the death of one of them. The children are looking on helplessly and not sure what the conflict situation would turn them into in the near future.
In fact any body you talk to speaks of frustrations and are not in the least happy about what is happening in Bawku.
A few workers who have braved the storm and still at post during this conflict times are equally worried and not sure how things will turn out. Their worry becomes worse when their families and relations keep calling them to vacate the area simply because the news that comes from Bawku any time there is renewed violence is enough to increase ones blood pressure
However the situation is not too bad that it cannot be corrected because the Kusasis and Mamprusis have many things in common than divide them. Firstly most Kusasis and Mamprusis have their parentage and close relations being either a Kusasi or a Mamprusi. Secondly they use the same markets, schools, hospitals and clinics, boreholes etc. Thirdly any time there is renewed violence, some few days later when you see how they interact you will wonder which people were fighting the previous days. The people of Bawku have a strong will and should be able to call a spade a spade and unanimously agree to stop the recent conflict which has lasted for five months no matter who is perceived to be down or up because in a conflict situation there is neither a victor nor vanquish especially when the combatants are closely related.
Let us have confidence in the peace process initiated by the President J A Kufuor which has now been handed over to the National Peace Council led by His eminence cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson. Let us listen to the soothing words of peace by these eminent personalities and move from our entrenched positions and allow peace to reign. Let do this for the sake of the children, women, and non native workers who are determined to help develop the area despite all the odds and for the values and identity we stand for. We should also cooperate and appreciate the securities who are sacrificing their lives day in day out to ensure that there is no further lost of life or property. But for the security things could have been worse. It doesn’t matter what has happened so far, they fortunes of Bawku can be turned around if they combatants decide today to stop the violence, attacks and destructions. It is possible peace can reign in Bawku again because nothing is impossible for he who believes. Shalom! Peace!!
JAMES DORGBETOR
MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER
BAWKU
The conflict which takes its remote cause in chieftaincy and land dispute is gradually bringing Bawku and for that matter the entire Bawku municipality to its knees and also scaring away workers and potential investors.
The frequent breaks in social life, economic activities, quality health care assessment etc leaves much to be desired. What is more, the many projects and businesses that have been put on hold are having severe hardship and underdevelopment on the area. The man hours and resources lost to the conflict are overwhelming.
The revenue of the Bawku municipal Assembly have dwindled drastically and the little left plus what comes from the central Government are being used to keep peace in Bawku but could have been channeled to build schools, hospitals, roads, dams and markets.
Both JHS and SHS candidates of 2008 suffered a great deal of tuition since most teachers vacated the area. For instance, the JHS candidates at the wake of this recent conflict did not receive a steady tuition as any time the conflict erupted they had to run home for their dear lives which meant that particular week a lot of lesson period had been lost. Also some SHS candidates missed some of their final WASSCE papers which one wonders what the performance of these candidates of 2008 results will be.
Women especially the pregnant ones went through horrible experiences just to access health care resulting in the death of one of them. The children are looking on helplessly and not sure what the conflict situation would turn them into in the near future.
In fact any body you talk to speaks of frustrations and are not in the least happy about what is happening in Bawku.
A few workers who have braved the storm and still at post during this conflict times are equally worried and not sure how things will turn out. Their worry becomes worse when their families and relations keep calling them to vacate the area simply because the news that comes from Bawku any time there is renewed violence is enough to increase ones blood pressure
However the situation is not too bad that it cannot be corrected because the Kusasis and Mamprusis have many things in common than divide them. Firstly most Kusasis and Mamprusis have their parentage and close relations being either a Kusasi or a Mamprusi. Secondly they use the same markets, schools, hospitals and clinics, boreholes etc. Thirdly any time there is renewed violence, some few days later when you see how they interact you will wonder which people were fighting the previous days. The people of Bawku have a strong will and should be able to call a spade a spade and unanimously agree to stop the recent conflict which has lasted for five months no matter who is perceived to be down or up because in a conflict situation there is neither a victor nor vanquish especially when the combatants are closely related.
Let us have confidence in the peace process initiated by the President J A Kufuor which has now been handed over to the National Peace Council led by His eminence cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson. Let us listen to the soothing words of peace by these eminent personalities and move from our entrenched positions and allow peace to reign. Let do this for the sake of the children, women, and non native workers who are determined to help develop the area despite all the odds and for the values and identity we stand for. We should also cooperate and appreciate the securities who are sacrificing their lives day in day out to ensure that there is no further lost of life or property. But for the security things could have been worse. It doesn’t matter what has happened so far, they fortunes of Bawku can be turned around if they combatants decide today to stop the violence, attacks and destructions. It is possible peace can reign in Bawku again because nothing is impossible for he who believes. Shalom! Peace!!
JAMES DORGBETOR
MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER
BAWKU
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